BIOGAS

Introduction

Geography is a vast discipline from an academic perspective. There are more than dozens of sub-disciplines and branches of geography. One of the major sections of geography is physical geography in which biogas falls. Biogas is a renewable source of energy that is produced after decomposing organic things. This section revolves around the significance of geography, biogas and their formation. Biogas plant, its formation and uses of biogas are also discussed in this article. 

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Geography as a study discipline

Geography can be defined as the study of Earth’s physical features and atmosphere . A Greek scholar namely, Eratosthenes has introduced this word into its fragmented form. Basically, word Geography is derived from two root words such as geo means earth and graphos description. Collectively it means interpretation of earth features. Geography as a discipline focuses on study of nature, human beings, interaction between nature and humans and integral world. Biogeography is the interaction between physical geography and human geography that has been discussed in this article. 

Biogas

Biogas is stated as a mixture of gases that have methane in a predominant state which are produced by various activities of microorganisms such as decomposition. Microbes produce different kinds of gases during their growth and metabolism. These gases are used as fuel. Kinds of gases produced during growth and metabolism microbial activities depend upon microbes and organic substances that are utilised by them. The bacteria that help in producing biogas are called methanogens.

Importance of biogas

One of the most important features of biogas is it is renewable. Biogas is a mixture of different gases such as methane, carbon-dioxide hydrogen. Biogas being a renewable fuel, produces non-polluting energy that helps in cleaning earth’s atmosphere. The waste things such as organic matter, cow dung, and agricultural waste can be utilised for making biogas. Biogas is the cheapest fuel in comparison to other natural gas that is why it can be widely accepted as fuel in vehicles. Apart from that, people can produce biogas with easily available organic waste and hence produce employment and money as side products. 

Production of biogas

Biogas is produced in biogas plants when bacteria digest organic products and matter in absence of oxygen. Anaerobic respiration and digestion take place in biogas plants while producing biogas. There are two main kinds of anaerobic digesters. First one consists of covered effluent pounds used for liquid organic matters that contain liquid waste where biogas is formulated inside an impermeable cover and a pipe is connected for further storing. Secondly, a digester used for semi-liquid waste is called an engineered digester. In this digester, waste organic matter is mixed and the process of digestion can be increased or decreased by changing the heat of the container. It is also found that additional bacteria are mixed sometimes to boost the degradation process. 

Uses of biogas

Biogas is produced from organic matter called biomass. Biogas is widely accepted and used for different purposes such as cooking gas in rural areas. Biogas is currently used for producing electricity in thermal power stations due to the high price rise of petroleum products. Biogas is currently utilised in devices used for heating water and rooms. Vigorous use of biogas replaces CNG and LPG from automobile vehicles. As it is less costly and produces less pollution that is why it is widely used in vehicles. 

Potential of biogas in India

“Ministry of New and Renewable Energy” under the Government of  India recently announced that 750 million metric tonnes of biogas are available for use every year in India. This study is sponsored by the government of India which reveals the importance and potential of biogas in India. According to this study, most of the biogas can be produced by utilising agricultural waste residues. If whole agricultural residue can be utilised for making biogas then 230 million metric tonnes of biogas will be surplus production. Surplus production of biogas can be used to produce 23 GW of energy. The government of India suggested that if this much amount of biogas is produced then it can meet the electric needs of 550 sugar mills of India. 

Conclusion

It is to be concluded from the above studies that biogas is one of the most important renewable natural fuels that are cheaply available and produces negligible pollution. Only thing that is considered at the time of establishing a biogas plant is to find sufficient availability of raw materials such as cattle dung and agricultural waste. Apart From that, biogas is widely accepted and used for various purposes such as producing energy, heating water, and running vehicles. Advantages of biogas over natural gas are also discussed in this article and also attracts people to use biogas more widely.